The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has notified the police in response to a small number of reports of so-called bogus Census Collectors visiting or phoning the public.Head of Census Paul Williams reminds everyone that all Collectors are required to wear official identification cards at all times while undertaking Census duties. All Collectors will also be carrying bright yellow satchels.

The ABS or its Collectors do not phone householders as part of normal Population Census procedures. Therefore, unless a householder has specifically asked the ABS to contact them by phone, anyone phoning up and claiming to be from the ABS asking Population Census-related questions is not an ABS officer.Collectors visiting households are legally entitled to go to the front door of a dwelling to deliver and collect Census forms. They are instructed not to go through or over any locked barrier or security gate, or enter any dwelling without being invited to do so.

Collectors have until 28 August to collect the completed Census forms, unless people have submitted it online. They are required to pick up a completed form from a householder in person. If a householder is not at home they will leave a calling card giving an estimate of when they will return.

Collectors have been instructed to undertake collection activities from 8:00am till 8.30pm on weekdays or 9:00am to 8.30pm on weekends/public holidays. Collection activities will not normally be occurring outside this time period.

People taking part in other ABS surveys are sometimes contacted by phone. Anyone with concerns should call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 362 883.